FEATURED: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – Match Facts

There will be a new name on the Adobe Women’s FA Cup this weekend when Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur contest the 2023/2024 final in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley.

The Red Devils are set to appear in their second Adobe Women’s FA Cup final after narrowly losing out to Chelsea in last year’s showpiece while Spurs are preparing for their first major domestic cup final appearance.

Ahead of the tie, WSL Full-Time have reviewed the match facts provided by Opta. Here are three points to note ahead of the big game.

Manchester United unbeaten against Spurs

In the two clubs’ 10 Barclays Women’s Super League meetings, Manchester United have won eight and lost none against Spurs (D2). The Red Devils also completed a league double over The Lilywhites in 2018/2019 as both clubs went on to win promotion to the top flight at the end of that season.

Spurs have been a real force under the guidance of head coach Robert Vilahamn this season and they recently drew 2-2 with Manchester United at The Leigh Sports Village. It’s a result and a performance that will give them confidence.

Scoring first could be key

The team that has scored first has gone on to lift the trophy in 23 of the last 25 Abobe Women’s FA Cup finals. No team has come back from conceding first for more than a decade. Birmingham City were the last club to do it in the 2012 final when they drew 2-2 with Chelsea at Ashton Gate before winning the tie 3-2 on penalties.

With just one place separating Manchester United and Spurs in the Barclays Women’s Super League table, this year’s final could be tight, so gaining an advantage could again make a huge impact in the tie.

Skinner to put faith in Williams?

Manchester United’s veteran forward Rachel Williams has been in red-hot goalscoring form in this season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup. The 36-year-old has scored four goals in four Adobe Women’s FA Cup appearances this season and is averaging a goal every 33 minutes. The player has scored in an Adobe Women’s FA Cup final before when Birmingham City won the trophy in 2012 and her experience and leadership from the front could again be an asset this weekend.

Head coach Marc Skinner has a selection dilemma going into the final with French forward Melvine Malard having been effective in games against Spurs this season. She has scored twice and provided one assist in the two league meetings.

The 2023/2024 Adobe Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley kicks-off at 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

 

Statistics: Opta